How to get Fit on the Cheap

Staying active is crucial to good health but it can also make you poor as the costs of memberships and classes can really add up.  To help save some cash, try these cheaper options for getting an inexpensive but effective workout:

Try before you buy:  

Loads of gyms, Pilates and yoga studios offer free or reduced-rate trial periods, to road-test their facilities and classes.

If you are located in a large city, you can probably take advantage of all of them.  You may find you can try a different one each week for a year !

Fitness websites, YouTube and Instagram:

You can access videos and tutorials on just about every fitness topic imaginable, including free workout videos that you can watch and follow in the comfort of your own home.

Download an App:

There are also plenty of apps around that will serve up workouts to your phone. Choose anything from yoga to a kettlebell workout.

Share a Trainer:

Having a personal trainer is a great way to achieve your fitness goals but their cost adds up, especially if you’re having multiple sessions each week. To save some cash, why not share a Trainer with some friends or workmates?  A group training session can be a fun way to work out, the group will be small enough so you still feel like you’re getting personalised attention and it is much cheaper to split the cost between a few people.

Outdoor gym:

Outdoor gyms are now starting to pop up in local parks and along beachfronts for you to use to train for free while you spend time with Mother Nature.  Most of this equipment requires you to exercise using your own bodyweight, which is one of the most effective ways to train.

Join a free group fitness class:

Go to the website www.meetup.com and type in the name of your city.  Check out their listings for any free fitness classes in your city.  There is everything from bootcamp sessions to running groups and boxing classes.

Walk or run:

Walking and running are great cardio workouts and best of all, it does not cost anything to take part. Enjoy Mother Nature; explore your neighbourhood or map out a route on Google Maps. You can keep track of how many calories/kilojoules you are burning and the number of steps you are taking, by downloading a Free fitness App onto your phone.

Borrow a DVD from the Library:

Visit your local library and check out if they have any exercise DVDs that you can borrow for free

Set up your own home gym:

• Hand weights:  Purchase adjustable hand weights to start. You can purchase heavier weights over time as you become fitter.  Alternatively make your own:   http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-Weight-Set

• Yoga Mat:  Cheap, and a great way to use your own body weight to do floor-based exercises from downward dogs to sit ups

• Swiss Ball:  A great investment where you can exercise all of the major muscle groups from stomach crunches to push ups

• Skipping Rope:  Jumping rope is a great cardio workout.  It’s cheap and portable.  Can be done indoors or out

• Resistance bands:  A cheap and portable way you can exercise your entire body.  You can even travel with them

• Step ups:  Use your household stairs for step ups or push ups

• Bench press:  Repurpose a low bench you already own

 

How do you save money whilst getting fit?

Glenda

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About Growing Snowballs

I have been described as Savvy; a Bargain Hunter and Tight. My fav is Value Shopper. I love a bargain to save money. I do this in-store, online, buying 2nd hand, recycling & upcycling. This is good for my pocket & good for this Planet. Check out some of my quirky projects as well as read about how you too can save yourself some money & time.

‹ The $21 Challenge achieved …. well almost

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Tagged with: activities, budget, cheap, economical, exercise, fit, fitness, frugal, gym, health, Pilates, savemoney, savvy, yoga
Posted in health & fitness